Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Paris Letters

Like me, Janice came to Paris to find a new life for herself. Unlike me, she plotted and planned ahead how she could pull it off and sustain herself for 2 years of travel and freedom from a boring desk job. Also unlike me, within 3 weeks of moving here she met a charming rotisserie/chicken guy. They are now married. My curiosity was peaked. I went down rue Mouffetard to catch a glimpse. Voila.

I came home and doodled. Turns out Janice is a long-time reader of ParisBreakfast. It also turns out that over the past 3 years, she started sending out painted letters to friends from Paris. The letters turned into a business that provided income and a chance to share her experiences with others around the world. Each letter contains a hand-written story and a picture of Paris. Do take a look in Janice's Etsy shop. Of course I was influenced. Janice has been very kind sharing her expertise.

We met for coffee at Cafe Regis on the island

Janice demonstrates the correct way to drink a cafe creme.

Then I followed her back to her turf on rue Mouffetard hitting all the high points mentioned in her book. Cafe TournBride is where she wrote in her journal not too far from the boucherie.

Where they had their first beers.

I didn't know Hemingway lived here.

Does one have to learn all the cuts of beef to snag a cute bouchere?

Perhaps a cafe table is waiting for you in Paris? Do you dream about it?

Your blog posts are the highlight of my day, thank you so very much for sharing all the joys and pastries you come across in the city of light. Don't know how long I'd last if lived so close to Berthillon, but this is coming from someone who's stays at a hotel across the street from Pierre Hermé and a stones throw away from Gérard Mulot. Would love to stroll the streets with you the next time I'm in Paris...so brave as well as talented!

Very nice stories, your post today and the HuffPost.Too bad your butcher isn't still there!Nice to see the Hemingway reference - the rue Mouffetard is mentioned a lot in most stories of Hemingway's years in Paris.I like the café Regis on your island, too!

How great for you to meet up with someone who adores Paris as much as you. Maybe Janices butcher has a hunky friend he can introduce you to :) Loved reading the article on you in the Huffington Post. Now everyone will be wanting to interview you, you might have to start wearing sunglasses as disguise when you walk around your petit L'Isle. sounds like life couldn't be better. :)

ha ha -- my copy of this very book has just arrived! mais, I cannot hope to meet a handsome young Frenchman because I myself am "of a certain age" and it has been a long time since I was a cute young thing. (still cute, though, but "mignon" is pushing it!)imprudently, I have never saved much money, idea: I could save a lot of money in Paris by never walking into a boulangerie.

Hi, Carol! Just read a review of this book and feature on her in a magazine called Chateline that I found this weekend in Canada. Sort of sounds like what you are doing with your Etsy thing! Thanks for sending the link. I'm off to check it out. How fun you could meet and that she's a bit of an inspiration!

So I just finished Blame it on Paris, now I have ordered Paris Letters, I read and love all your posts, you live my dream life!! I will be there 30 April, first stop rotisserie chicken! Great Huff Post interview!!

Carol,congratulations on the wonderful Huffington Post article and interview!So well deserved!Thank you,too,for your introduction to Janice.We have met several great authors through you;Cara Black is a special favorite!Lucky you to be living in the 4th,Ile St Louis! Is that fantastic or what??? I sort of had a hunch when you gave us the pleasure of pictures on your Marine post. You've made our day again,as usual!

It seems a silly thing for me to say dear Carol but I have dearly missed your posts. And the fault for that is all mine, because when I fell off the blogging wagon I apparently gave up some of its sweeter aspects like keeping up with you and your continual adventures. This post is such a brilliant example of the magic of Paris. Thank you for sharing Janice and I hope you find your special chicken roaster. Btw, JOY! We will be in Paris in June....alas for only two days (I snuck it in at the end of our trip this summer because my 7 yr old so dearly wants to see the Eiffel Tower). Any charming suggestions that might delight two teenage girls and their younger sister? Any suggestion would be grand. God bless you Carol and I am glad to be catching up with your posts.

Hello Carol from Australia.....so excited to have found you. My friend recommended your blog to me (she also bought Janice's book and now I have to have it)! You see, yes I do dream about a Paris Cafe! In fact, perhaps a reality for me. I have a daughter with a disability and my Son offered to us a Paris trip last year for a big birthday of mine. I had to knock him back as it is just too hard to get care for her. Well, blow me down, he has offered to take me (jumping for joy) perhaps next year!!!!!!!!So I just might get a coffee over there........(I want to eat and have coffee whilst there)!!!! Only thing is I'm not into planes but I feel if I knock back his very generous offer I will regret it forever!!!!!

I'm going to have a look around now! Take Care and have a lovely day......Regards, Dzintra